Post by Azuki<3 on Nov 27, 2023 21:17:45 GMT
Yeah, you could just say "kids these days" and again, it's Reddit, but there was another great post (IMO) on Reddit Teachers about how many, many kids today lack creativity or imagination or engagement in topics because everything "creative" or "imaginative" is done for them-it's all prepackaged, marketed, algorithm-ed, etc. It's all quickfire rapid information. Not to say there isn't value in prepackaged entertainment, plenty of us make-believed our own favorite TV shows, video games, etc. BUT....
For Mil and older Gen Z kids, many of us were forced to use our imaginations at multiple points during our childhood/youth years, and forced to "daydream" and cope and think while bored, whether at school, sports, special events/parties, outdoors, waiting for food at a restaurant, in the doctor's office, in the car, etc. Sure, some of us had books or a magazine, or maybe a basic handheld gaming device, or coloring book with crayons, but sooner or later, boredom would strike again. Heck I remember when my parent refused to let me bring an entire backpack of entertainment fun with us to visit our relatives (she thought it was weird nerd garbage) and I kid you not, I made a single new Nickelodeon magazine last like 4 days <_< (We had other things to do, but it was still way different than today). Same for when I traveled overseas for a trip-I could only bring like 1-2 "fun" books, parent wouldn't let me bring gaming device, and I think I only had a basic flip phone then. There's a whole (newer) generation of kids who NEVER experienced that, they are just handed Ipads/tablets from the time they are little bitty and WELL before their brains have even started true development, and we wonder why so many kids are so anxious, saddened, can't handle basic life disruptions, lack some impulse control, etc.
EDIT: Something kind of interesting that relates is animation master Hayao Miyazaki commenting on the state of the modern anime industry, saying that one of the major issues with it is that people who only call themselves "otaku" keep entering the industry whose only identity IS otaku, they don't really have any other hobbies or interests or experiences outside of anime. So you end up with a lot of regurgitated trash vs. works from people who have done other stuff and bring that fresh approach to the work itself.